Abstract: Miramax is constantly seeking new and efficient ways to manage the large volume and rights formats of their digital assets and prepare for the future, this discussion will focus on cloud-based digital asset management in the Media & Entertainment industry. Specifically, the session will do a deep dive on Miramax's implementation of a SaaS digital rights management solution which efficiently manages their vast film library acquired from Disney. Miramax's VP of IT, will highlight lessons learned and some unexpected discoveries during the aggressive 90 day implementation window. As a result of implementing a robust asset management solution, Miramax was able to significantly increase revenues from $40M to $190, a 4- fold increase.

Let customers elect where they live, eat and breathe: Build an Agnostic Cloud!

Abstract: Empower your Enterprise organization to capitalize on the opportunities and advantages of the Cloud. Technology departments should become your partner, enabler and true Cloud broker that delivers platform agnostic Cloud solutions that accelerate delivery, efficiency and innovation within the Enterprise. Creating a Cloud agnostic strategy today, provides flexibility and openness that will allow you to avoid vendor lock in, lower the total cost of ownership and reduce the risk of technology shifts.

Abstract: This talk would describe the use of cloud-based self-service work spaces in broadcast workflows – including the problem of obtaining ready access to tens of TB of original programming, and having the ability to share that with any global partner both as proxies and as full-broadcast resolution content. The talk will review two different yet effective self-serve delivery model that allows business partners quick and easy access to original content, and the option to transcode it into the format of their choice.

Abstract: LUNA, a short film produced by Universal/ETC cloud project, had the goal to establish the past, examine the current reality and determine benefits of cloud centralization. This talk will explore the out come from multiple points of view, including Studio perspective, Directors point of view then outline failures and successes of the project.

Abstract: Key challenges faced by content producers, owners and workflow users alike, include: Movement of thousands of media assets between teams across multiple locations, departments - this leads to issues with file naming, search and not to mention multiple versions. This presentation will provide an overview of "Hybrid Cloud" technology that effectively addresses these challenges.

Abstract: This session will explore the workings and benefits of a software based, on-premise/cloud hybrid media processing platform. A hybrid or private cloud solution allows core processing volume to run on a customer premise within a virtualized private cloud infrastructure like OpenStack, Joyent, VMWare etc. In this model the true benefit of cloud media processing, elastic capacity, is maintained. Because the on-premise capacity limits of private cloud are reached by job volume, the hybrid cloud bursts seamlessly to the public cloud environments with no disruption in workflow. This presentation will discuss the hybrid cloud in detail and cover its benefits to customers' workflow.

Abstract: To date, most large companies needing to support massive scale media workflows have been relying on custom developed digital media software solutions hosted via large in-house private data centers. Along with the maturation of the public cloud, a new generation of media platform services relying on IaaS will become a more technically viable and operationally sustainable alternative to in-house solutions. We’ll investigate the rationale behind the evolution towards cloud based media platforms, and the future of what these might become in the next 2 to 5 years.

Abstract: For almost a decade 5th Kind has been working with Studios and Productions to create a holistic secure platform to streamline and
organize all the digital file and communication workflows throughout the production process. In this discussion we will explore the
challenges and solutions to a range of production workflows and how the unified platform can be used to deliver a high ROI with increased
efficiencies and help create better quality products.

Abstract: How effective metadata management in the cloud can help a studio ensure that their IP is being effectively monetized across all channels, all geographies and at all times. This session will discuss how studios are leveraging cloud technologies to most effectively manage their metadata, streamline production and distribution workflow and maximize digital revenue generation.

Abstract: Can traditional live linear content distribution models be effectively evolved from existing satellite communication networks to pure IP-based cloud-centric transit? In this session we will take a look at requirements that must be met to facilitate wide-scale distribution of content at low latency with high levels of availability, durability, reliability and throughput. We’ll look at best practices for high availability and resilience, take a deep dive into topics such as effective erasure correction and deterministic network topologies, factor in advantages around lower cost for compute and bandwidth when utilizing cloud-based infrastructure, and arrive at a reference architecture that can be used to drive B2B content distribution through the cloud at scale.

Abstract: New content supply chain has become increasingly more complex, as we move into the digital era with simplified, customizable workflow products, unifying legacy linear studio systems with digital content management and delivery across devices. This session will discuss the next evolution of cost-effective, powerful media-management solutions that combines the major components of a broadcast facility into a single workflow to launch and support fully automated and branded dynamic live stream channels, to all platforms, at a lower cost than a traditional broadcast infrastructure.

Abstract: How the Cloud is enabling the transition from the Classic Transactional VOD to Electronic Sell Through for MVPDs and OTT players alike. VUBIQUITY discusses launching a cloud based retail video service by demystifying the puzzle of costs vs timing, understanding the pace of consumer demand and reinventing the conditional access model.

Abstract: Once you get the green light to go OTT and build a direct relationship with your consumer, how do you get it done? What are the best practices and what are the various components in a cloud-based OTT technology stack? How do you choose the right partners for ad network integration, storefront and user experience, lead gen and analytics, as well as production/distribution fundamentals such as encoding, video player and play out? Most importantly, how does all this technology fit together and who are the major players with both expertise and proven solutions? In this informative panel discussion you'll learn the essentials around integrating cloud into an OTT strategy around content, front end, distribution, and monetization opportunities.

Abstract: Pre-viz? Rendering? Post-processing? Transcoding? Media Archival? Online Distribution? On-Demand Playback? Today making a movie sounds a lot more like a development project for geeks than artwork for the silver screen.

Abstract: A discussion on blurring the lines between Production and Post, creating a bi-coastal cloud workflow for an unscripted multi-camera television series. From file-based ingest, dailies / proxy trans-coding and cross country data-movement from set to post. Leveraging “off the shelf” technology in innovative ways, including uplink bandwidth aggregation, multi-format transcoding, point to point WAN data sync, hosted network storage, Avid Media Composer, Avid Unity ISIS, you name it- all to enable post to being prepping within hours of shooting.

Abstract: Film production is equal to a busy hot kitchen with no true order of operations other than we will figure it out in post. Being able to capture the many moving parts onset into a central location such as the cloud will help the post team recreate what happened on the day to solve post problems and save time and at the same time giving the post team the needed materials and metadata in real time.

Abstract: Taking advantage of centralized processing and storage, new dispersed workflows are now possible. Colorfront's cloud initiative enables virtual world wide collaboration for high end motion picture and television production.

Abstract: Panelists will discuss the gains realized through integration of the file system with new types of storage, including object-based storage optimized for media, and explain how better use of the cloud for media-centric workflows is supporting more fluid and efficient on-premises and globally dispersed production environments.

Abstract: Today's productions increasingly demand the rapid provisioning and integration of core resources in order to support increasingly complex workflows across multiple partners. The integration of Workflow software to Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) pools for compute, storage, and network is finally within reach with the advent of provisioning technologies like Software Defined Networking, API Abstraction, Orchestration and Transformation, and Network Function Virtualization (NFV). This track will discuss the evolution of the IaaS marketplace and the new business models that are cropping up as a result.

Abstract: The network is critical as file sizes increase. We will talk about how the ETC Transport work stream is working to simplify networking, and create a Global Media Exchange. The effort includes ondemand SDN and contracts that are OPEX (on demand) as opposed to locked in long term agreements.

Abstract: While Silicon Valley start ups have been leveraging the virtual capabilities of the cloud for years, film and TV productions (essentially start ups that launch a single product and disband) are finding adoption harder because of workflow challenges presented by their "big data” video product and recent security incidents in the industry have only made it harder. But there is a way forward...

Abstract: Presented by the elite organization of white hat hackers most widely known for being first to break the iPhoneand the only security consulting firm engaged in the security team of USC’s Project Cloud initiative, this session will analyze the anatomies of real world attacks against high profile systems. It will extract lessons from these attack anatomies to provide a framework to account for these modern attackers, articulate context to the Media & Entertainment industry, and supply attendees with key takeaways, including immediately actionable guidance.

Abstract: You've heard that the cloud offers amazing scalability and can compliment your existing render farm. Come see our approaches to leveraging the cloud's burst capacity to maximize artist productivity. Learn how others have succeeded in making the cloud part of their competitive advantage.

Abstract: The logistics of rendering in a VFX environment can be incredibly complex; add cloud-based cores into the mix and they become even more complex. Different render applications, simulation tools, assets and dependencies are driven by unique workflows tailored to the needs of the client; the artist; and the job at hand. Key to making cloud rendering successful, is to bring that incredibly scalable resource to a facility's unique and local pipeline. Learn how studios can seamlessly merge public cloud resources such as Google, Amazon, Azure, Rackspace and others to their internal farms, adding thousands of cores as if they were inside the studio, giving facilities the flexibility to work the way that suits them best.

Abstract: Together with the premier features of Azure Media Services - notable live transcoding, CDN integration, telemetry, and a new suite of partners in the OVP and technology spaces – Azure Media Services are bringing scalable, reliable, and cost-effective premiere sports events to fans worldwide.

Abstract: As consumer demand for more content and coverage of sporting events continues to rise. By unleashing the power and scale of cloud video processing, sports broadcasters and content delivery networks can broadcast live events in radically new ways.

Abstract: 4K video is fast setting the minimum bar for content capture, be it consumer, prosumer, professional, episodic or theatrical. This in turn is leading to more demanding infrastructure requirements for media production, management and distribution. Consumers now have a variety of viewing devices and expect an optimal viewing experience for all of them, regardless of screen size or bandwidth availability. Media companies need to deliver on that consumer expectation while at the same time optimizing for costs. They need to produce content for the highest quality viewing experience, but have the ability to deliver to a wide variety of quality levels. They need an infrastructure that scales automatically and just works, whether it is a full 4K production workflow, subsequent archive and content management, or a multi-device streaming. In addition to discussing the way in which an agile cloud infrastructure can meet the demands of a 4K workflow, this session will cover cutting edge technologies like remote application visualization and server-less workflow automation that can greatly help today's media companies in the race to serve their gadget savvy consumer.

This study leverages the Dramatic taxonomy of film narrative to infer which scene-level character and story attributes generate more box office returns, by genre. We are extending this study to ads and movie trailers.

The project researchers used machine learning to map 70+ story attributes for 300 films to their box office returns to extract which story mechanics or character features in film generated the most revenue. This was the first time granular story and character mechanics have been used to predict box office returns, which opens up many avenues to make more data-driven creative and development decisions throughout the industry.

What’s a good story? The question has been hanging without a scientific answer since the dawn of man. It seems that a story’s lack of clear mathematical structure and universal taxonomy would relegate such classification of stories to the qualitative – and highly subjective- empire of critics and … people.

Until now.

The event presented results from the research, discussed applications for the development and creative process, and outlined next steps.